Florida death sentence overturned over DNA results

Associated Press

June 26, 2014 - 3:25 PM

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — The Florida Supreme Court is throwing out the conviction of a death row inmate after new DNA evidence raised questions about whether or not he strangled a woman nearly 30 years ago.

A divided court on Thursday also overturned the death sentence for Paul C. Hildwin.

Hildwin had been sentenced to die for killing 42-year-old Vronzettie Cox, whose nude body was found stuffed in the trunk of a car parked in some woods in September 1985.

Prosecutors in 1986 contended DNA found at the crime scene matched blood characteristics of Hildwin. But recent tests show the DNA belonged to Cox's boyfriend.

Nina Morrison is an attorney with The Innocence Project working on the case. Morrison says Hildwin will remain on death row until the time passes for the state to argue for a rehearing in the case.